Skip to main content
two women talking at a desk

What do we mean by cognitive load

  • General
  • 01 Oct 2023
classroom practice

This resource comprises a summary of what ‘cognitive load’ is, including an explanation of different types of memory. It is suitable for teachers, learning mentors and SENCOs from Early Years settings, schools and colleges.

The resource can be used to support practitioners to understand what cognitive load is; it can be used to conjunction with our resource ‘Cognitive load and pupils with SEND’ to help understand how we can use cognitive load theory to improve provision for our pupils with SEND.

Using this resource will lead to an increased understanding of cognitive load. You may also use this resource in CPDL activities in your school or setting.

This resource was first published in July 2020 and was last reviewed in October 2023.

Suitable for: SENCO, Teacher

Full access to this resource is available for:


Free

You must be logged in to to get access

LOG IN

You may also be interested in

SEND CPD on Demand Content Guide image [a stock image of a group of people sitting around a table working on notepads]

SEND CPD on Demand Content Guide

  • Webcasts
  • 31 Dec 2025
Free
Webcast
Webinar

We’ve designed this subscription with the entire education sector in mind, but to help make your decision, about what content to access first, we have created a content guide.

twilight talks promo image [purple background with white text that reads twilight talks Research Series' alongside a cartoon owl on a branch]

Twilight Talks Research Series: Identifying and supporting children with developmental language disorder in the classroom

  • Webcasts
  • 13 May 2025
Free
Twilight Talks
Research Series

In this session, Dr Juhayna Taha Institute of Education, UCL’s faculty for Education and Society, will talk about Developmental Language Disorder (DLD).

Front cover for Early Years SEND Review Guide

Early Years SEND Review Guide

  • General
  • 12 May 2025
Free
early years
SEND Review
WSS Review Guide

The Early Years SEND Review Guide was developed for Early Years practitioners and reviewers, to support the review and development of inclusive provision and practice.